Kyle Prepolec is working tirelessly to earn his way back into the UFC or another prominent promotion.
The journey carries forward for the Windsor, Ont. native Prepolec (15-7) on Friday evening as he squares off against Shane Campbell (21-8) for the Unified MMA 165-pound championship headlining Unified MMA 43.
At 32 years old, Prepolec competed last at Samourai MMA 1 in November 2021, securing a narrow split-decision victory over Michael Dufort in a thrilling back-and-forth bout.
Now, Prepolec aims to build on that momentum heading into his clash with Campbell.
"To truly be the best, you need to defeat the best competitors," Prepolec told MMA Empire during an interview. "It makes no difference whether they're inside or outside the UFC—you have to beat quality fighters to prove yourself."
"Defeating Michael Dufort and then Shane Campbell represents facing the top two fighters in Canada. Campbell is riding a solid winning streak and remains a recognized name. Every fight from my match with Dufort onward has been crucial, and this one stands as the most important yet—for the exact same reason as that Dufort bout: to return to the win column."
Both competitors have experienced competition on MMA's biggest platforms, setting up Friday's main card as a showdown between two former UFC fighters.
Prepolec anticipates seeing Campbell at his peak and preparing for a grueling contest.
"I believe we'll see the best version of Shane step through those ropes. Whenever I face these fighters, they deliver their finest performances. That's what makes it genuinely exciting and engaging," Prepolec shared.
"This raises the stakes significantly; I must not only elevate my own game but also overcome myself and my opponent. Ultimately, it comes down to who brings their A-game on fight night. I know I always arrive ready to compete. Our styles mirror each other—it simply becomes a question of who demonstrates superior grit and determination. Everyone is familiar with my strengths and his. Now it's time to let those styles collide."
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This fight preview presented by Lisa McInnes – Verico Paragon Mortgage Inc.
**Cover image by Yanick Maltais/Samourai MMA
